Western New Mexico University's president Dr. Joseph Shepard reached out to local officials Thursday to find how the school and community in Luna County can better work together for students of all ages.

Dr. Shepard was joined by representatives of the city of Deming, Luna County, Deming Public Schools and state legislators Sen. John Arthur Smith (D-District 35) and Rep. Dona Irwin (D-District 32) for the morning meeting held at WNMU's Deming branch.

After introductions and swapping some short personal stories, Dr. Shepard dove into his vision for the future of the university - others schools included - and what needs to happen in the short term for long term success.

"We need to provide access to students whether they're living on the border or living in the middle of the Gila," he said on utilizing technology, like web cams and computers and integrating the technology into classrooms. "I predict that in 10, maybe not even that, but in 10 years, we will have an Amazon.com for higher education.

"We can get our students the academic portion, (but) we need to figure out how to get our students the humanistic growth."

The school already uses televisions, the Internet and web cams to broadcast lessons to Deming from the main campus in Silver City. He envisions a time in the near future in which his calculus professors, for example, can send broadcasts of lessons directly to student cellular phones.

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Those transmissions could include high school students, he said, in response to comments made by DPS officials that calculus is becoming more popular.

Of course, though, visions for the future are one thing, but in a state and country with tightened purse strings, Dr. Shepard recognized the reality of the situation.

"If we want to have all this technology, you have to feed that animal whether you like it or not," he said.

He says the university's online population has "increased dramatically" and that there are 738 graduate students working with it. Additionally, he said the school has 3,800 students enrolled, 500 of which are freshman, making it the largest freshman class in the school's history. Beyond that, he pointed to success with the Deming branch having about 500 students enrolled.

"From the city's perspective, we think this is a wonderful facility," Richard McInturff, city administrator, said. "We're happy this learning center concept came to fruition."

Sen. Smith grounded the conversation, though, inquiring on the school's student population taking remedial course work, which he says is a problem around the state. Dr. Shepard said "roughly" 63 percent of WNMU students have taken remedial courses, which are designed to help transition students into the college learning experience and bring their education up to snuff.

Beyond education, the group also attempted to tackle the social issues behind high unemployment in the county. Among the top items discussed were drug use and what seem perceive to be a lack of drive among youth.

"There's kind of this mindset in this community that a minimum wage job is good enough and you don't have to go further than that," Bayne Anderson, DPS School Board member, said.

Others pointed to job vacancies being unable to be filled because some cannot pass drug tests while others touched on there not being enough opportunities for youth who do not wish to attend college, such as vocational training.

"I've been talking to plumbers and electricians my age and they're asking, 'What's going to happen when I quit,'" Ken Leupold, WNMU Deming branch president, said.

The group was in agreement that career training needs to be advanced while promoting cooperation among local governments, schools and universities.